City on verge of plastic straw ban with final vote

HALLANDALE BEACH — Plastic straws may soon be contraband in Hallandale Beach.

All five commissioners gave initial approval to a citywide ban shortly after midnight Thursday.

“Straws are too small and too light [to be recycled],” said Commissioner Rich Dally, who championed the ban. “They ultimately end up in a landfill [and] end up harming sea life at all levels.”

The ban won’t become final until a second commission vote on Sept. 5.

Should it pass, Hallandale Beach would become the first city in Broward County to outlaw plastic straws citywide in an attempt to cut down on litter and protect wildlife. Straws would be banned outright at the beach as of Jan. 1.

Also, stores throughout Hallandale would be prohibited from selling them. And restaurants, bars and other establishments could not hand out them out to customers.

Buddy Sparrow, an activist from Deerfield Beach, praised Hallandale for doing the right thing.

“Thank you for being brave,” he told commissioners. “Thank you for being a leader. You’re the first domino.”

Hallandale plans to give first-time

offenders a warning.

After that, fines would increase from $100 to $500, with amounts increasing for each violation.

The ban would not apply to people with disabilities; medical and dental facilities; schools; county, state or federal government facilities; or stores selling pre-packaged drinks that contain plastic straws.